Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Warming Up the Hot Stove

The entire TCR staff is still in mourning, what can we say, we take this shit personally. A relatively decent rumor though has gone through the wires as we start prepping for the most inconsequential regular season ever for the Cubs - the 2009 season. Because even if the Cubs are  fielding an All-Star at every position, win 120 games and outscore their opponents by five runs a game, none of that shit will matter to anyone until they win some playoff games and get to the World Series.

As for the rumor, the Padres are suffering some money problems as one of their owners is in the middle of divorce proceedings that may cause him to sell his 49% stake in the club.  The Padres debunked that rumor...sort of, but nonetheless San Diego is a pretty small market and are coming off a 99-loss season with not a whole lot of talent to build upon. They did have quite a few injuries last year, but not enough to warrant that bad a season.

If they do go the rebuild process, they're best trading chip would be their ace pitcher Jake Peavy and he is available for the right price. It doesn't sound like the Padres have to move him like the Twins did with Johan Santana this last offseason. Santana was going to be a pending free agent after 2008 while Peavy signed an extension last offseason that wil pay him, $11 M in 2009, $15 M in 2010, $16 M in 2011, $17 M in 2012 and a $22 M team option with a $4 M buyout in 2013. The tricky part is Peavy has a no-trade clause so he basically gets his say on where he gets to go.

Good news is that if you have dreams of Peavy wearing a Cubs uniform next season, his agent Barry Axelrod said that Peavy has a strong desire to stay in the National League and even went on mention specifically the cities of Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and St. Louis. I don't doubt that any of those teams could make a legitimate run at Peavy although I'm quite sure the Padres will avoid the Los Angeles Dodgers if at all possible.

But do the Cubs have what it takes to land Peavy? Well, that sure is the million dollar question. The other question is if his elbow problems from last year are a cause for concern and at least one armchair pitching coach believes it will be. That's one for the doctors and trainers to discuss, or if you're the Cubs one for them to completely ignore and carry on like everything will be just fine.

The cost for Johan Santana last year was four pretty decent prospects from the Mets system, but the Twins were backed up against the proverbial rock and a hard place last season so it sounded like they took a lesser deal. I think four prospects is a pretty good barometer although the quality of them might have to be a little higher than the Mets gave up with Peavy already under contract.

If I had to formulate a guess on the type of players it might take to get Peavy in a Cubs uniform I would guess something along the lines of - Rich Hill, Felix Pie, Jose Ceda and one of Jeff Samardzija, Geovany Soto or Carlos Marmol. Now Samardzija has a no-trade clause and I doubt that the Soto or Marmol would be available, but if you're the Padres I think those are the quality of players they would want. Hill could do wonders in that ballpark with his flyball tendencies and the Padres have always had an affection for Felix Pie. But both now are on the "damaged goods" side of the equation and that's going to lower they're value. Ceda would be a gift for that Todd Walker trade that brought him here and then if you're the Padres and trading Jake Peavy, I think you need to at least get one ready for the majors now with 4-5 years of club control player and that's why I mentioned Samardzija, Soto or Marmol. I doubt they'd get moved and maybe there's another Cubs in the system that could get it done, but as I said, I think that's the type of players the Padres would ask for, even if not those individual names. 

And if the Cubs do start talking with the Padres, I hope they do a little inquiry on one Adrian Gonzalez. I do doubt that he's getting moved as he's signed to a very affordable deal over the next few years. From Cot's Contracts....

07:$0.5M, 08:$0.75M, 09:$3M, 10:$4.75M, 11:$5.5M club option (no buyout)

Nonetheless, he's the left-handed power stick that the Cubs middle of the order could desperately use. He's also two years younger and been just as good as the uber-free agent of the offseason, Mark Teixeira. You scoff at that I'm sure, but their WARP-3  numbers (Wins Above Replacement Player and factors in defense) courtesy of Baseball Prospectus.

Mark Teixeira since 2005: 9.2, 7.7, 7.8, 10.8

Adrian Gonzalez: .2, 7.5, 8.8, 8.6

Of course, that means the Cubs would have to move Derrek Lee somewhere and with a no-trade clause, a huge salary and declining skills, that's going to be a tough task.

Back to Peavy, if the Cubs could somehow swing a deal you have a possible rotation that could look like this:

Jake Peavy, Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis

I would of course assume the acquisition of Peavy would mean that Dempster doesn't get resigned and trust me, I'm fine with that. I suppose it's possible that the Cubs could actually move Rich Harden in a deal with the Padres and resign Dempster, but I doubt that. And with us just at the cusp of the hot stove league and before organizational meetings have even happened, it's a bit foolish to start projecting the 2009 Cubs roster. Nonetheless, a few embers from the hot stove to keep us all warm at night.

Comments

The St. Pioneer Prees speculates that the Twins may talk to the Giants about Delmon Young.

 


(Offices of SF Giants)

 

Secretary: Mr. Sabean, Terry Ryan of the Minnesota Twins on line 1 for you.

Sabean: (face turns white, instantly covered in sweat) Fuck, fuck, fuck....tell him I'm not here.

(brief pause, hear secretary off on distance)

Secretary: Mr. Sabean, Mr. Ryan says you are here and you will speak to him now.

Sabean: (hand uncontrollably gravitates towards phone shaking) I know I shouldn't take this but I can't help myself. Hey, Terry, how' s it going?

Ryan: Hey Brian, how's it going, tough year, huh?

Sabean: Sure, it happens, I'm a bit busy though trying to land Randy Johnson and coax Willie Mays out of retirement. Can't have enough vets, you know, so what can I do for you?

Ryan: Well I know your guys offense was struggling and we have the former #1 prospect in Delmon Young available

Sabean: How old is he?

Ryan: 23

Sabean: that's a baby, I have no use for that.

Ryan: Sure you do

Sabean: No I don't

Ryan: (waves hand over phone) Sure you do

Sabean: Sure I do.

Ryan: What about Delmon Young for Lincecum, Cain and Brian Wilson?

Sabean: no way, you'll have to throw in Mike Redmond to offset the age difference.

Ryan: Done.

(END SCENE)

 

Outfielder Felix Pie and catcher Wellington Castillo will be playing for Licey in the Dominican Republic. Jose Ceda, who posted a 2.08 ERA in 22 relief appearances at Tennessee, will pitch for Escogido. Ceda, who impressed Cubs manager Lou Piniella in Spring Training, struck out 42 over 30 1/3 innings for the Double-A team. Angel Guzman, Rich Hill, Justin Berg and Sam Fuld all will play in Venezuela. Hill, Berg and Fuld will play for Buddy Bailey and Dave Rosario, both members of the Cubs' Minor League staff, on the Tigres de Aragua. Guzman will pitch for Magallanes. Casey McGehee was to play for Culiacan in the Mexican Winter League. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081015&content_id=36…

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo... you said "shit" i'm so telling.

chris oleary is a hell of a video-guy with a lot of knowledge, but personally i feel you can't trust a damn thing the guy says about anyone who throws an inverted arm slot pitch unless you feel the same way he does. he absolutely hates them. for xmas i think he'd like the head of tom house on a pike. peavy throws an inverted arm slot, btw.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

yeah, i know who he is and he's probably one of the best video men around. he does hitting, too. he just doesn't like inverted arm slot pitches on anyone unless they keep their elbow down. that's about his only leeway in that department. he backs it up...and some buy into it. i buy into it, especially with extreme inverted arm slot guys like bj ryan...but one of his "things" is not liking inverted arm slot deliveries.

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In reply to by crunch

That 'analysis' is just about as useful as Chadball. Why doesn't he point out some pitchers who are likely to be hurt, rather than list guys who have a history of it? That would be useful information. Only Ryan and a younger Clemens on that list would be 'maximum effort guys', and Oswalt has trouble staying off the DL. Back to Peavy though, his elbow slot doesn't bother me, it's the way his body goes towards first and his arm goes towards third when he throws that bothers me.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

you don't need an expert to guess that willis is an injury risk. he rears up like vida blue then explodes the rest of his motion finishing up across his body. his elbow, nor his shoulder, is safe from throwing as violently as he does. i'd like to see him break down jermain van burren. a paragraph of "HAHAHAHA. Are you fucking kidding me?" would do.

Piggy out-righted off the 40-man to Iowa..........I'm for any trade/FA acquisition that adds LH hitting to the starting lineup and moves Soriano out of the leadoff spot (preferably off the roster). I wouldn't mind upgrading the rotation by re-signing Dempster or acquiring an upgrade of the 'Peavy' class.

Grandpa McCain and his bitch is gonna get their asses beat.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

not based on tonight's debate i don't see this debate having much effect on the election. even if obama wins in a butt kicking.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

I agree with Chad that the debate is not that much of a poll changer because typically ratings drop for the 3rd debate and these debates have been doing worse numbers than the Bush/Gore or Kerry ones. Also these things are more "joint press conferences" more than debates anyways as the moderotors pretty much both let guys repeat their canned stump speech lines. They should have had Joe the Plummer moderate the debate atleast he got an answer to his tough question.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

People still have to vote. And I have a nagging feeling they have been telling pollsters one thing and will vote another way. IMO, this election will be 2000 election close.

Sorry. I retract that last remark and realize that TCR is in no way a political blog, nor affiliated with any political party. Nor will either party help the Cubs win a World Series.

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In reply to by Rob G.

If Selig is smart at all this 5-game set up should be chucked for the 7-game. And can I also say that these playoff announcers are terrible?! I haven't been bored so much in my life. Even during the Cubs series it was excruciating to listen to them. They should be required to take viagra before each game. The best teams and the best umps make it to the playoffs, why not the best announcers too?

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In reply to by Rob G.

The Phils beat the Cubs four of seven in the regular season and I have no reason to believe they wouldn't have done it again in the NLCS if the Cubs had been good enough to get there. Edit: "had been good enough to get there" isn't accurate. They were good enough. They just reverted to their loser roots. At least the Dodgers knocked around Moyer. He probably would've gone all Ed Gein on the Cubs.

What's your problem, Chad? No one else can have an opinion except you? Why don't you tell me and everyone else what to think, what to write, how the Cubs roster should be constructed, and we'll have nothing but 'Chad' posts on every article? Come on, thrill us and entertain us with your General Manager's acumen.

I like Soriano and the production he can put up during the regular season but post-season, when he has to go against the best of the best, he is exposed. 174 career AB's in the post season and he sports a Neifi like OPS of .526. You count on him to get you to the playoffs, but you don't count on him to win you games in the playoffs. I would like to see him traded. I know a great many people would like to see him hitting lower but hitting lower in the lineup isn't going to make him any better, he is still going to be exposed by good pitchers. Give me Manny Ramirez in LF regardless, he hits no matter what. I wouldn't mind seeing Derrek Lee traded either, he really is nothing more than an over-paid version of Mark Grace. Guess what though? He actually hits in the playoffs. But 13 million a year for a guy with 1 career 100 RBI season after 11 years in the pro's. He averages 87 RBI a year, Mark Grace? 83. Give me Mark Teixeira and his 5, 100 RBI seasons, in 6 years. If you sign those 2 free agents, then you can shop Soriano and Lee. Maybe get some prospects back, maybe some pieces for RF, CF, SS, or 2nd. My way to reshape the Cubs would go like this, sign Manny and Tex. Trade Lee and Soriano. Call up the Pirates say we got a young scrappy SS in Theriot and will take your 6 million dollar man Jack Wilson. You want defense? He is the best in the game, plus he hits a tad better. Now since we got Jack Wilson i will bookend him with Orlando Hudson who is the best defensive 2nd baseman in baseball. This pushes DeRosa to RF or back to the super-sub role depending on what we get back in trade of Soriano and Lee. Let Dempster walk, not going to pay him huge sums of money based on 1 career season. Remember its still Ryan Dempster, he has never posted back to back good on anything. I would replace him with Derek Lowe for his post season experience, and his ground ball ability. I think that works perfectly for Wrigley Field and our new SS and 2nd baseman. Finally I would like Harden dealt, he is great and all, but sorry 5 IP and being treated like a priceless vase between starts isn't good enough. I would target the Padres and use a combination of Harden and prospects/or Soriano to get Peavy. No execuses for being out of the playoffs after 3 games. The only thing that i could really see happening though is Theriot being replaced by Jack Wilson. I think we could easily get him from the Pirates if the team wants improved defense from the position. The other stuff takes a shit load of wheeling and dealing.

BTW, anyone notice the Dodger's crowd's reaction to last night's game? BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! The whole stadium was ready to run them out of town, beginning from Rollin's homer to Furcal's errors. Let's not have any more discussions of how "negative" Cubs fans can be on the poor players - if the laid - back Dodger fans can be that vicious, then all bets are off.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Apparently not, big. Sometimes one has to adjust one's opinions and hopes to reality. For a couple of days, we might have thought the Dodgers had really improved toward the end of the season, but the Phillies handled them like it was July. Before the playoffs I had trouble identifying Cub weaknesses, but reality has set in and I can think of three of them. 1) No real ace. Zambrano too wild (look at his 1.81 K/BB), Harden too fragile. Dempster apparently doesn't have the right makeup. Lilly could be our best pitcher but nobody thinks of him as a #1 or even a #2. 2) Lefthanded hitting. Against tough righty starters, Phillies trot out Rollins, Utley, Howard and Victorino. We had Edmonds and Fukudome. 3) We had better lefty hitters than we used--our best was probably practicing in Mesa--but the guys with the fat wallets usually get to play. In that sense, I guess you could say that overpaid players are a weakness, because they limit a manager's options.

[ ]

In reply to by Dmac

Some of that boooooing was for Shane Victorino when he came up to bat. Playoff tickets ain't cheap and to see your team piss away its chances justifies a boo or two. Not all of us want to be Ned Flanders/Cards fans and their so-called "perfect behavior." MEH. DLowe would be a good acquisition provided you can keep him sober, which seems to be the case in LA. Boston? Not so much. I just hope and pray Hendry doesn't get Dunn for the lefty bat. No, a thousand times nooooooo.

"My way to reshape the Cubs would go like this, sign Manny and Tex. Trade Lee and Soriano" Reminds me of the George Costanza line. "I think I've figured out a way to get Bonds and Griffey and it won't cost us that much either." I don't always love Hendry's moves, but it ain't that easy. I know this kind of stuff is what the hot stove league is all about, but let's at least get into the county next to reality.

With 97 wins, I'm perfectly happy taking another shot with the team we had versus these crazy schemes to dump some of our best players. The fact that we talk more about Soriano and Lee than Center, Right, 2nd or short is pretty amazing. (not that I think we need changes at all of those positions) The playoffs sucked, but I still believe it's a crap shoot....I'd happily take my chances with the same team and expect them to win each time.

the good news is that even if the Cubs win 116 games during the 2009 regular season, the expectations to win even one playoff game next season will be so low that there can't be any more downside (keep that playoff winless string going...0-9 and counting)...that is, unless they don't make the playoffs.

At least my fantasy mostly involves signing free agents to improve positions and trading away our current ones. Don't have to work out crazy trade scenarios, just got to offer cash to get what we need. I already admitted it was a long shot. At best I would like a Hudson, Wilson Infield with DeRosa shifting full time to the OF.

according to Bruce Levine. I wonder if they have to get the OK from the Ownership bidders before giving these extensions to Jimbo and Lou "I dont know how to manage in October" Pinella or if they get golden parachuttes like Investment Bank heads from Zell. As for Jimbo's extension, I think he is OK, I mean he is a 100x times than a Jim Bowden or Steve Phillips but on the other hand if they let him go and brought in a Jed Hoyer or David Forst I think it would be an improvement.

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-081016-chicago-c… Mariners are the only team looking for a GM this offseason and did ask to speak with Hendry and were turned down. Sounds like a 3-yr deal...not sure if it's tacked on to 2009 to put him through 2012 or replaces 2009 and puts him through 2011. He didn't hit every ball out of the park the last two years, but whatever he did, led to the best Cubs team most of us have ever seen and the best team in the NL...on paper. I know everyone involved with the Cubs like him and he seems very well-respected and liked by almost every other GM. He seems comfortable dealing with big budgets now that the purse strings have been loosened since McFail left and can scrounge for bargains as well. None of that shit matters to most of us until we win a World Series, but I think the Cubs will be in a good position, i.e. making the playoffs just about every year, to eventually overcome the hump.

if for some unseen reason Hendry isn't back I'd be content with Mike Rizzo who was instrumental in rebuilding the DBacks. Chicago native I believe as well.

I'd go for that personnel change, but if Hendry stays on that's fine by me. He did all he could to improve the team for '08, not his fault his high - priced guys went into the tank...again. '"Not all of us want to be Ned Flanders/Cards fans and their so-called "perfect behavior."' Uh, that was exactly my point - our fans are no worse than what you see at every other ballpark these days. Enough with the pleas for Kumbaya when the team is sucking the big one, that's all. '"I dont know how to manage in October" Pinella...' I agree that Lou had a lousy series - but his "genius" counterpart in LA didn't exactly bolster his legendary status over the past week, either. He took Lowe out too soon, left Furcal in after it was obvious he hurt himself, and managed for a seven game series - just like Lou.

I don't like the thought of Zambrano, Peavy and Harden all in the same rotation, nor am I crazy about selling low on Hill. If we trade for Peavy I would think that Harden is in the deal, because they would want someone to trot out as their 'ace', it would save the Cubs some money, he's closer to FA' and he can bring back some nice draft picks for the Padres and talent wise, it lowers our chance of having 40 to 80% of our projected rotation on the DL at a given time, and I don't think those other guys get it done (if Marmol and Soto aren't available.) I would be OK with letting Marmol go, like I said last year, trade him when he's at his highest value. That's one trick Hendry hasn't learned yet. He likes to depreciate his assets (Barrett, Sosa, etc) before trading them.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

Good point, except, of course, it was by you, so totally wrong. Zambrano is not one of the best pitchers in the game, unless you mean 'best 50 pitchers'. Remember 2004, when we had our '5 aces'? How did that turn out? What about 2005, when we had four of them? 2006 same four? I guess I was being greedy hoping the Cubs would win another World Series this year when we had just one those three recently. Luckily, Hendry has shown some ability to learn from his mistakes, and he won't be filling up the rotation with $80 million worth of shoulder risks.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

Who the hell is 'we'? Is that like the 'royal we'? These are the facts: 43rd in ERA in 2008. 40th in 2007. Here's who 'we' should be comparing him to: Gil Meche AJ Burnett Joe Blanton Oswalt 129 and 64 with an ERA+ of 139, he had his worst ever year this year, and still his ERA was almost half a run better than Zambrano's. Zambrano 98 and 61 with an ERA+ of 128 No one compares those two pitchers, unless they're doing it between swigs of Cubs Kool-Aid.

Its one thing to sell high on a player with obvious flaws that may or may not be exposed down the road. Marmol is none of that. 87 IP, only 40 hits given up, and 114 strikeouts. Now sit back and think about that for a minute.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Marmol's control problems and gopherball problems, do those count as obvious flaws? Think about this for a minute: 70 IP's 48 hits, 110 strike outs Followed up by 42 IP 34 hits 49 K's (and a 6.48 ERA) What could you have gotten for Rob Dibble after 1991? What could you have gotten for him after 1993? A good GM knows it's better to make a trade a little too early than a little too late. And if you're talking about getting the guy who's probably the NL's best pitcher, you don't let someone who throws 80 innings get in the way of that (if you think that Peavy is going to be healthy). A healthy Peavy is a 10 extra win player. A healthy Marmol is a 5 extra win player.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

Marmol has control problems? Him of a .135 BAA last year? or a .169 last year? Thats a hell of a control problem. I really dont know what your talkin about Real Neal when you say 70 IP following up by 42 IP. He only pitched 87 innings last year. He pitched 52 innings in the first half where he could be labeled over worked while some of the rest of the bullpen was trying to buy a clue. He posted a 3.61 ERA. With the bullpen more settled and with a little more rest Marmol went on to post a 1.29 ERA in 35 innings to close out the year for a .103 BAA. Marmol is K-rod good as a reliever. Now if you can predict the future and say he is going to suddenly turn into a pumpkin i will agree with ya. But you don't know the future. This team needs good reliable bullpen arms, Jake Peavy only goes once every 5 days for 7 innings...who is going to bridge the gap and shut down teams in close games? Samarz? Howry? Wuertz? Cotts? Any of those guys you gonna trust with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs and get out of the jam without giving up any runs? Our 97 win season was built on the arm of Marmol. Alot of games we lost in the past due to shitty bullpen arms was erased by him, and a good part Wood as well not screwing it up like Dempster did. Teams without decent bullpens don't make the playoffs too often.

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In reply to by MikeC

Him of a .135 BAA last year? or a .169 last year? Thats a hell of a control problem. Batting average against doesn't measure control--it only accounts for At Bats, not Plate Appearances. It only marginally measures strikeouts and doesn't account for walks. Kerry Wood always had a good batting average against and he had plenty of control problems as a starter--much better as a closer, though. But as to Marmol, consider his K/BB ratio. Among qualified pitchers, he settled in at 2.78, good for 106th in baseball. Hardly stellar. But it doesn't mean he can't be successful. Brandon Webb and Jake Peavy rank 101 and 103 respectively. But Webb walked 65 in 226 innings (.287 BB/INN). Peavy walked 59 in 173 (.341). Marmol walked 41 in 87 innings (.471). Of course, Marmol doesn't pitch like Webb or Peavy. Marmol is dominant because his Ks offset his BBs. But with a little more control, he could be a lot better. Marmol is K-rod good as a reliever That's not a compliment to Marmol's control. K-Rod has a K/BB ratio of 2.26 (188th ranking). He walked 34 in 68 innings (.500 BB/INN). Imagine if both pitchers had better control. Goodness.

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In reply to by MikeC

"Any of those guys you gonna trust with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs and get out of the jam without giving up any runs?" Well, Smardypants has the same talent level as Marmol, but his control is even worse. It's definetly not out of the question that he could replace Marmol as the 8th inning man in 2009. But, if I were to trade Marmol, I would see if he couldn't be replaced. It doesn't necessarily have to be a guy quite as effective as he was, because if you're talking about the difference between a Peavy start and a Marquis start, then you're talking about an extra 1 or 2 run lead in the 8th inning. Maybe you turn Marquis into Justin Speier if your scouts think his control problems are correctable. But going back to your point about predicting the future, it's quite Ironical that you bring up Weurtz, Howry and Cotts, because all of them have been pretty damned good at stranding runners in a given season. Then their GM's made the mistake of thinking it would last forever and held on to them too long, instead of trading them when the iron was hot, and now they have practically no value. This happens to the vast majority of relievers, due to things like injuries and sample size issues. If you can get a HoF calibre starting pitcher, you never let a reliever stand in your way of doing it. It's just common sense. How good an 8th inning guy would Peavy be? Better than Marmol, for sure.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

I'm starting to consider Zambrano something of a bust. It's unusual for a pitcher's control not to improve over time. But I would hesitate to trade serious young pitching talent before at least trying something much less drastic. How about a new pitching coach? Pitchers don't thrive under Rothschild. Often they go backwards, like Wuertz and Ohman. Dempster was a mature pitcher already. I'm talking about young guys, Zambrano, Hill, etc. Look at what Dave Duncan was able to accomplish with Todd Wellemeyer, who today is about the equal of Zambrano, or maybe just a bit better, at least according to these four criteria (ERA, K/BB, K/9, WHIP): Wellemeyer 3.71 2.16 6.29 1.25 Zambrano 3.91 1.81 6.20 1.29

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In reply to by crunch

I think that's called 'Cherry Picking'. Zambrano is two years younger than Wellemeyer. Dempster had his best ever season under Rothschild. Who gets credit for Marmol? What about Kerry Wood's newfound control? Joel Piniero, Anthony Reyes, Jason Isringhausen... these guys all prove that Rothschild is a superior pitching coach.

If we can get Peavy and his 09 salary is just 8 mill we should jump on it. When his salary jumps we will be free of Marquis. Peavy, Big Z, Harden, Dempster, Lilly...who could top that??? It looks like it may take Pie, Marshall or Hill, and one other good young arm....that is fair as long as Marmol isn't in the deal.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

I said a good young arm, and as long as it isn't Marmol I would be good with that. If it has to be Samardja then oh well. They want to dump salary, so Harden is not in the equation, and they are not asking for major league starters like Soto. Look what the Braves offered....mionor leaguers ready for the bigs. The Padres have been enamored with Pie for the past couple years so a Pie, Marshall, Samardja package may get Peavy.

[ ]

In reply to by Crazy Uncle Lou

If Smartypants, Pie and Hill or Marshall could have landed Peavy, we would have just done that at the the trade deadline. It doesn't make any difference what the Braves offered, it's what the Padres are going to accept. Harden is on contract for $9 million. Peavy is on contract for $62 million. It's been a little while since I took a math class, but I am going to hazard a guess that this would qualify as 'dumping salary'. If the Padres are still high on Pie, which is unlikely (see previous comments about Trader Jim knowing how to sell high) then I could see Cedeno, Marshall, Smardizjia (if he waives his NTC, also unlikely) and Pie for Peavy and Greene. I think Peavy's arm is more likely to land in the home dugout than to accept another Cy Young award, so I wouldn't do that trade, but if you think you can keep him healthy that may do it.

Bob Howry has excellent control. I don't see anyone drooling over him. ============= Here is the Howry Drooler's Dozen (13 with HR's off Howry in 72 IP for 2008): Ryan Braun Carlos Lee Jeff Francouer Russel Branyon Jeremy Hermidia Cory Snyder Albert Pujols Jeff Kent Jason Bay and Doug Mientkiewicz (same game) Mike Riviera Wil Nieves Ryan Doumit

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In reply to by Cubster

Wasn't Cory Snyder the RF on the '87 Indians team that SI liked for the World Champs? Marmol's list Nate McLouth Nate McLouth Scott Podsednik Adrian Gonzalez Carlos Quentin Ray Durham Rich Aurilia Joey Votto Jolbert Cabrera Prince Fielder Fewer but a higher total stinker ratio And then there was the ace of the bullpen: Jason Bay Geoff Blum Ryan Ludwick For a quick lesson in how BABIP and sample size affect a reliever's ERA: Kerry Wood's BABIP: .331 Carlos Marmol's .185 Those two numbers pretty much define the term 'non-sustainable'.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.